Civic associations, populism, and (un-)civic behavior

Evidence from Germany

Bibliographic Data

ID6341744
AuthorsBogdan G Popescu (0000-0002-7730-7495, John Cabot University, corresponding author), Marlene Jugl (0000-0002-0831-9484, Bocconi University)
Year2025
Volume13
Issue1
Pages150-166
Publication date2025-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitical Science Research and Methods (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2049-8470 • E-ISSN: 2049-8489
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/psrm.2024.19
OpenAlexW4398210342
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited44

Civic associations are expected to foster civic, pro-social behavior, but this optimistic view is increasingly contested. We argue that populist radical right parties can strategically target and infiltrate associations to diffuse anti-establishment rhetoric and anti-democratic attitudes. We illustrate this phenomenon by examining the relationship between civic associations and compliance with government rules during Germany's first Covid-19 lockdown with a difference-in-differences design. Results show that areas with denser sport, nature, and culture clubs recorded higher mobility under lockdown. We document the infiltration mechanism and the spreading of anti-democratic attitudes within associations, using survey and election data and qualitative evidence including interviews. In doing so, we shed light on a negative effect of social networks and an understudied strategy of challenger populist parties

Political science · Politics · Populism · Sociology · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Social Media and Politics